Hellobee Boards

I think I'm pretty laid back... but not as much as my parents were! We lived on a lake and pond and we were always allowed to play outside unsupervised. It was just drilled into our heads that we don't go down to the lake without an adult or play by the pond, and we listened!

I don't know if I could do that with my kid... and especially not where we live. There are a few families in my apartment who let the kids just play outside the apartment and do whatever they want, and I don't know if I could do that (the kids are <10).

DH is always semi-appauled when I tell him stories of how much alone time my sister and I had while on family vacations and in our day-to-day lives. I think a lot of that is because we were not my parents first children and they were in their 40s and 50s when we were born.

With my kids? I like to think that I will be somewhere in the middle. I want them to explore and feel risk but all depending on the situation.

I am pretty laid back, but he's still young and I don't know if I'll feel comfortable letting him walk to school by himself... ever. It scares me! But I know my husband wants him to be able to do that.

I think I'm on the opposite end... I'm really easygoing, and more "they'll figure it out". I don't worry a lot in general though - I'm a pretty glass half-full, optimistic type person. DH balances me out and always thinks about the worst case scenarios, so it's made me a little bit more aware of the possibilities that could happen if I'm not careful enough.

I think this article is really interesting, but I still feel there has to be a middle ground somewhere.

I think that overall our generation is leaning towards the overprotective side of things. I think there is something to be said for letting your kids do things that may be "dangerous" to a degree. Let them climb trees, or go the wrong way up the slide, or hang from a low zipline. Let them take little risks like that.

However, I wouldn't let my 6 years old play with a hatchet and all my kids will be wearing helmets while riding a bike. I think there is a space between micromanaging all your kids play because you are concerned at every single corner that they might get hurt and letting your kid play with pallets with sharp edges and possible loose nails.

LO is only 4 1/2 weeks old so it's hard to say if I'll be like this forever but I'm actually super laid back. I thought I would be overprotective and neurotic about everything but I'm totally relaxed. My niece (she's 1) poked him right in the face, almost in his eye two days ago and everyone looked at me but I just laughed. LO didn't even flinch. I'm surprised this is my attitude.

As he gets older and can get into more trouble/danger then I'm sure I'll probably change.

It is hard to judge myself if I were overprotective or not.... I would like to think I am laid back but I probably am not in other people's eyes? At least I don't go pick him up when he falls down and cries and I ask him to get up and dust off the sand on his hands and pants.... so at one point LO doesn't really cry anymore after he falls (unless if it really hurts, of course!). He just gets up and runs around as if nothing happens.

I don't think I can leave him outside and play by himself though. There are actually sightings of coyote in our neighborhood (someone took a picture of the coyote standing on someone else's driveway!), not to mention there are cars driving by. DH also always scare me that there are snakes in the backyard (I mean, seriously?). So as much as I wanted to, I don't think I would do that until he is MUCH older.

I've seen my neighbor - their son is 4 months older than mine (2 years). There was a time he fell down, he screamed and cried so loud and 3 adults (mom, grandma and grandpa) all rushed over and hushed him, and he cried louder. I guess at least we are not doing that..